Australian Special Air Service Regiment

Special Air Service Regiment
Cap badge of the Special Air Service Regiment
Active	25 July 1957 – Present
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Special Forces
Role	Special operations Counter-terrorism
Size	One regiment
Part of	Special Operations Command
Garrison/HQ	Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, Western Australia
Nickname(s)	Chicken stranglers Snake eaters
Motto(s)	"Who Dares Wins"
March	Quick – The Happy Wanderer Slow – Lili Marlene
Engagements	Indonesian Confrontation Vietnam War Somali Civil War 1999 East Timorese crisis  • INTERFET War in Afghanistan  • Operation Slipper 2003 invasion of Iraq  • Operation Falconer 2006 East Timorese crisis  • Operation Astute War on ISIL  • Operation Okra
Decorations	Unit Citation for Gallantry Meritorious Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation
Commanders
Notable commanders	Michael Jeffery (1976–77) Duncan Lewis (1990–91) Mike Hindmarsh (1997–99) Tim McOwan (1999–2001) Rick Burr (2003–04)
Insignia
Unit Colour Patch
Abbreviation	SASR

The Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR though commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army. Formed in 1957, it was originally modelled on the British SAS sharing the motto, "Who Dares Wins". The regiment is based at Campbell Barracks, in Swanbourne, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, and is a direct command unit of the Special Operations Command. It has taken part in operations in Borneo, Vietnam, Somalia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as many other peacekeeping missions. The SASR also provides a counter-terrorist capability, and has been involved in a number of domestic security operations.

A direct command unit of Special Operations Command, the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) is a special forces unit of the Australian Army and "is tasked to provide special-operations capabilities in support of the Australian Defence Force. This includes providing unique capabilities to support sensitive strategic operations, special recovery operations, advisory and training assistance, special reconnaissance, precision strike and direct action". The SASR is primarily structured to conduct covert long-range reconnaissance and surveillance in small teams in enemy-controlled territory, while commando units are utilised to conduct raids in larger groups. In addition to warfighting during conventional conflicts, the regiment is also tasked with maintaining a specialist counter-terrorist capability. Other capabilities include training local or indigenous forces, recovery of Australian citizens and humanitarian assistance. The SASR is also trained in counter-insurgency operations.